H. Hamilton “Chip” Rice to Retire from Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.

Tampa Bay, Fla., December 3, 2012 – Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., recently announced that H. Hamilton “Chip” Rice will retire at the end of this year.

A senior attorney at LLW for over six-years, Mr. Rice made significant contributions during his tenure with the firm. “Chip has been an instrumental part of LLW and also the Bradenton Community.” said Kevin Hennessey, Executive Shareholder of the firm’s Bradenton office.

Mr. Rice joined the Bradenton office on January 16, 2006; his practice focused on local government, administrative law and general litigation. Mr. Rice has received numerous accolades. This summer, he was recognized by the Florida Bar City, County and Local Government Law Section Executive Council with the H. Hamilton “Chip” Rice award. As one of the section’s strongest advocates for mentoring and education, the award was created in Rice’s name to recognize distinguished service for mentoring and education of future local government lawyers. Mr. Rice is one of the section’s first board certified attorneys and has served in every Executive Council leadership position, including Chairman.

He is also the recipient of the following awards: The Florida Bar Ralph A. Marsicano Award for significant contributions to local government law in Florida (1997); City, County and Local Government Section Paul S. Buchman Award for outstanding public service (1996); Florida Association of County Attorneys President’s Award for most outstanding county attorney (1996); and Local Government Law Award for Local Government Ethics (1992).

Although he has received many awards, Mr. Rice says that he is most proud of the lawyers he has helped and the relationships he has built in decades of service. He dedicates himself to mentoring both practicing lawyers and future leaders, encouraging them to become involved in their communities.

An AV-rated attorney, Mr. Rice previously served 13 years as the County Attorney for Manatee County and was an adjunct professor at Stetson University College of Law for eight years. He served on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, the Manatee County Coalition on Homelessness and as Chair of the Manatee County Health Care Access Task Force. He has served on the Board of the local Salvation Army, and previously with the Manatee Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is a member of the Manatee Propeller Club and is a long-standing member of the University of South Florida Community Leadership Council.

For more than 18 years, the attorneys at Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., have helped the individuals, businesses and governments that have shaped Florida’s future. We offer solutions to issues associated with complex local, state, and federal laws and regulations. We focus on the specific, technical and seemingly ever-changing areas of Environmental, Land Use and Governmental Law. The Lewis, Longman & Walker team is comprised of well-known and respected attorneys with the experience and skill to quickly resolve difficult legal challenges. We are committed to responding to clients’ needs promptly and economically and believe in building long-term attorney-client relationships based upon collaboration and solid performance.

Our offices are in Bradenton, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach. Wherever you are, we’re nearby.